Your spleen is a small organ located on the left side of your abdomen under the rib cage. It removes old red blood cells and holds on to a reserve of other red blood cells to release in an emergency, plus it helps recycle iron. Although splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) is thought of as a common cause of spleen pain, it rarely causes pain but rather discomfort and mild tenderness. The spleen is a … The spleen has an elastic capsule and is capable of expanding several times its normal size without rupturing. Under normal circumstances, when the spleen is not enlarged, it cannot be palpated. Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of disease or injury. The focal masses can be delineated by ultrasonography, computed tomography, radionuclide studies, and magnetic resonance imaging.1-4 Reports of a large series regarding focal splenic lesions by cross sectional imaging and ultrasonography are rare.1-3 5-8 Splenomegaly usually does not cause spleen pain. A splenectomy is surgery to remove the entire spleen, a delicate, fist-sized organ that sits under the left rib cage near the stomach. The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. This may sometimes be visible and feel like a hard knot or ball and is not due to enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly). Pain alone in this region may not always be due to the spleen. Tenderness and discomfort may be noted upon palpation or after eating due to the distended stomach. This can be due to sharp force where overt signs of penetration and gross hemorrhaging will be clearly evident. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. 3. In these cases, there is usually an abnormality of the spleen causing a weakening of the splenic capsule as is seen with certain infections and neoplastic conditions. spleen; splenic mass; ultrasonography; Focal lesions in the spleen are rare as compared with those in other solid viscera. 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The most common cause of an arterial blockage leading to a splenic infarct is due to an embolus. The spleen is an important part of the body's defense (immune) system. There may be some pain in the case of a massive splenomegaly or in cases of infectious and inflammatory causes of splenomegaly where proinflammatory cytokines may cause painful splenitis. If it’s secondary, it starts in another organ and spreads to the spleen. The spleen plays an important role in immunity and is sometimes said to be the largest lymph node in the body. Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. It’s also commonly referred to as enlarged spleen or spleen enlargement. It also helps remove, or filter, old red blood cells from the body's circulation. These injuries may lead to internal bleeding due to the organ rupturing (bursting) or blood vessel problems. Rarely, a spontaneous rupture may occur with little or no blunt trauma force. The spleen is an organ that sits under your rib cage on the upper left side of your abdomen. Usually splenomegaly causes a dragging or dull rubbing sensation, especially when the stomach is distended after eating, but this is more a feeling of pressure than actual pain. The spleen is located in the upper left part of the abdomen, under the ribcage that protects it. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam. Your spleen is an organ above your stomach and under your ribs on your left side. Spleen pain is difficult to identify due to its close proximity to other abdominal structures like the stomach, left kidney, left colonic flexure and abdominal wall. Spleen cancer can be either primary or secondary. The spleen plays important roles in regard to red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the immune system. Your spleen, a flat 4-inch organ located on the left side of your rib cage, is a part of your blood system and immune system. Spleen problems and spleen removal Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of illness or injury. Metal can cause serious injury. Spleen is one of such important organs. Spleen performs several functions in the body, like it helps with food and fluid transformation, nourish the muscles, produces antibodies which fight against foreign bacteria in … This soft, spongy organ works as part of the lymphatic system and is designed to help with the body’s immune function. The most notable features of spleen pain is that it is : The spleen lies at the level of the 9th to 11th ribs which means that it is tucked under the left ribcage. Splenomegaly itself, even massive splenomegaly, rarely results in a rupture. Due to the shielding by the ribs, one cannot feel the spleen by pressing the abdomen. It can be difficult to confirm spleen pain without diagnostic investigations. In massive splenomegaly, the spleen may be palpable up to 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) below the costal margin and extends medially towards the umbilicus (belly button). It works as a blood filter. Steps to Take, The Spleen (Human Anatomy): Picture, Definition, Function, and Related Conditions, Blood Disorder Types, Symptoms, and Treatments. Spleen is located in the upper left side of the body. It is about as big as your fist. The spleen lies at the level of the 9th to 11th ribs which means that it is tucked under the left ribcage. Spleen gives birth to white bloods cells that absorb foreign bodies, bacteria and other harmful elements from blood. It contains special white blood cells that destroy bacteria and help the body fight infections when you are sick. Due to the obstruction, oxygen-rich blood cannot reach certain areas of the spleen and this results in ischemia (tissue injury due to hypoxia) and eventually an infarct. National Institutes of Health web site: “Spleen Diseases.”. an enlarged spleen can be caused by infections, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, blood diseases characterized by abnormal blood cells, problems with … As a crucial part our lymphatic system, the spleen is a vital “guardian” organ that we rely on every single day to keep the body free from infections, virus and dangerous pathogens of all kinds. In the event of constipation or gas trapped at this site, a firm mass may be palpable in the upper left abdominal area. This causes no problems and is considered normal. An x-ray, ultrasound, CT, or MRI may show the enlarged spleen. Learn about its function, location in the body, and conditions that can affect the spleen. An enlarged spleen is usually detected during a physical exam. The spleen functions as a filter for the blood. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It’s located behind your ribs, under your diaphragm, and above and behind to your stomach. Your doctor … Your doctor can often feel it by gently examining your left upper abdomen. Mayo Clinic: "Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).". All rights reserved. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis. Please note that any information or feedback on this website is not intended to replace a consultation with a health care professional and will not constitute a medical diagnosis. The spleen is a fist-sized organ found in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it's commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. It helps fight infection and filters unneeded material, such as old or damaged blood cells, from your blood.The most common reason for splenectomy is to treat a ruptured spleen, which is often caused by an abdominal injury. The location of the organ is covered by the left side of the ribcage. An enlarged spleen, a condition called “splenomegaly,” is a clear warning sign that the immune system is fighting hard to remove threats from the body but failing to do so because it can’t keep up with high demand. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. The spleen is part of your lymphatic system, which fights infection and keeps your body fluids in balance.It contains white blood cells that fight germs. An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. Under normal circumstances, when the spleen is not enlarged, it cannot be palpated. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen and below the ribs. Gayer, G. British Journal of Radiology, 2001; vol 74: pp 764-772. Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. However, in some people — especially those who are slender — a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam.Your doctor may confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen with one or more of these tests: 1. The liver is at the right side and the spleen is at the left. Inside, the mass of splenic tissue is of two types, the red pulp and the white pulp, which do not separate into regions but intermingle and are distributed throughout the spleen. © 2005 - 2020 WebMD LLC. The Spleen is partnered with the Stomach, a yang organ. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. When enlarged and extending below the costal margin, the spleen can be palpated on the anterolateral aspect of the abdomen and the superficially lying notched border makes it clearly discernible.  However, as mentioned below under the causes of spleen pain, mild to moderate splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) rarely causes spleen pain. The spleen is a fist-sized organ that is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. Spleen pain may radiate to the shoulder, mid back, umbilicus, left side of the chest and less frequently to the right side of the abdomen. It is located between the 9th and 11th ribs. It has a very rich blood supply since it is responsible for filtering blood, and it is protected by the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs. You may be given contrast liquid to help the spleen show up better in the pictures. What is spleen removal? The spleen is an organ of the hematological system and has a role in immune response, storage of red blood cells and hematopoiesis. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Blunt force trauma can also lead to a spleen rupture often related to a fracture of a rib and penetration of the spleen. It sits above the stomach and is usually the size of a fist. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. When the Spleen energy is strong, appetite and digestion are good. When the spleen is experiencing problems, the immune function may be affected. Diffuse hemangiomatosis of the spleen is a rare benign vascular condition occurring as a manifestation of systemic angiomatosis (associations with Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber, Turner, Kasabach-Merritt–like, and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromes have been reported) (, Fig 20,) or, less commonly, confined to the spleen. Normally, it is the size of an orange or a small fist. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Gastroparesis: What to Eat and What to Avoid, Newly Diagnosed With Crohn's? It works as a blood filter. The spleen sits in the upper left part of your abdomen. However, the presence of other spleen-related symptoms can be helpful in confirming that upper abdominal pain and flank pain is in fact spleen pain. The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. Apat from pain and tenderness, spleen problems may also present with: The two likely causes of spleen pain is an infarct or rupture of the spleen. What Are Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders? It is an intraperitoneal organ, entirely surrounded by peritoneum (except at … A number of other causes of pain in this area are discussed in the articles below and should be investigated and excluded before diagnosing spleen pain. The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrates.Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter.The word spleen comes from Ancient Greek σπλήν (splḗn).. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. It is located just posterior (behind) the mid-axillary line (refer to picture below) lying in close proximity to the posterolateral abdominal wall. The spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, under cover of the diaphragm and the ribcage – and therefore cannot normally be palpated on clinical examination (except when enlarged). If spleen cancer is primary, it starts in the spleen. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Spleen pain may radiate to the shoulder, mid back, umbilicus, left side of the chest and less frequently to the right side of the abdomen. It weighs around 7 oz. Pain in the left upper abdomen or back may be related to these surrounding organs and not due to the spleen itself. The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. Splenomegaly is a condition that occurs when your spleen becomes enlarged. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Together they are responsible for transforming food and drink into Qi and blood during the digestion process. WebMD's Spleen Anatomy Page provides a detailed picture, definition, and information about the spleen. Apart from filtering the blood it also contains a large population of immune cells, and produces opsonins and antibodies that enhance immune activity. The Spleen in Chinese medicine is a yin organ. According to Medical News Today, a helpful tip to remember the size of the spleen is the 1x3x5x7x9x11 rule: 1. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can't easily feel it unless it's abnormally enlarged. The liver and spleen are large organs located at the upper area of the abdomen (stomach). It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. An adult spleen measures around 1 inch by 3 inches by 5 inches. Pain on the side of the left upper quadrant of the abdomen should not be immediately attributed to the spleen. A splenic infarct is death of splenic tissue as a consequence of a blockage in the splenic artery or its branches. Accessory spleen: About 10% of people have a small extra spleen. Both conditions are considered as medical emergencies and could be fatal if immediate medical attention is not sought. This fist-shaped, oblong organ is purple, … What Is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)? Blunt injuries to the liver or spleen may include a tear, cut, or bruise to the organ. Under normal circumstances, your splee… Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Therefore mild to moderate splenomegaly should not elicit notable pain. Usually, treatments for spleen conditions focus not on the spleen, but on treating the underlying condition. The spleen is encased in a thick connective-tissue capsule. Trauma to the upper abdominal area may cause a rupture of the spleen. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. This organ is part of your immune … Splenic flexure syndrome is pain in and around the left colic flexure possibly as a result of colonic muscle spasms or trapped gas. Hamartoma of the spleen is a rare, benign tumor first described by Rokitansky in 1859 as a splenoma. 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